chased leaders, 8th before straight, under pressure in 5th over 1f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
attempted to make all, ridden 3f out, joined over 2f out, headed and kept on same pace from over 1f out
tracked leaders, 4th before straight, lost place from under 3f out, soon no impression
soon settled in mid-division, ridden into 6th over 1f out, soon no impression and kept on without threatening
tracked leader, on terms before straight, dropped to 3rd under pressure over 1f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
soon mid-division, travelling well early straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from under 2f out
tracked leaders, 5th before straight, soon lost place under pressure, no extra from 2f out
towards rear for most, never a factor
soon mid-division, closed and switched to outer 1 1/2f out, ridden in 4th over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead on line
chased leaders, 6th before straight, 4th 3f out, kept on same pace under pressure from under 2f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, no impression and kept on same pace from over 2f out
tracked leaders, mainly 3rd, challenged under pressure and led over 1f out, stayed on well, headed on line
mid-division, closed to chase leaders before straight, no extra from 2f out
soon mid-division, 9th before straight, kept on same pace under pressure from 1 1/2f out
towards rear, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 2f out
mid-division best, wide approaching straight, soon no impression
Yet again another big field handicap and the tentative vote goes to BOOK OF NUMBERS who has just crept in at the bottom of the weights and he is taken to make the most of this opportunity at the expense of Gimli's Rock and South Wing. Jim Bolger's son of More Than Ready has progressed nicely all year on a fast ground and as long as it stays quick at the Curragh he should go well. Kevin Manning is replaced by a less experienced jockey in a big field which is a slight concern but David Moran is a capable young jockey. Jessica Harrington has plenty of winners on the flat and Gimli's Rock may add to her tally. This horse has been mixing hurdling and flat racing and now reverts to the flat after decent efforts over the sticks. He is another to monitor with a fast improving three lbs claimer booked. South Wing won his latest start nicely but today's race is a little more competitive. However, that was a decent victory so can be in the shake up today. Others to note in a tricky race include Lac A Dancer, Rajik and Maximo but Book Of Numbers gets the vote.
Galileo's Choice (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Raced well off pace in rear, no impression under pressure straight, kept on without threatening from over 1f out, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Fame And Glory (9-6) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3.
Baron De'l (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Soon disputed lead, ridden and headed from 3f out, no impression from 2f out, 8th of 10, 11l behind She's Our Mark (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2f Listed stks hvy in Apr.
Bashkirov 3-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, rapid headway to lead halfway, ridden entering straight, headed 1 1/2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 9, 12l behind Haralan (9-8) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp 60-100 gf in Apr.
Rajik (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, kept on without threatening straight, 5th of 11, 6l behind Precious Gem (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcap gf.
Rangefinder 33-1 (8-4) Held up towards rear, outpaced 5f out headway under pressure over 2f out, never nearer, 9th of 17, 8l behind Mamlook (8-12) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (2) gd.
Final Approach 14-1 (8-3) Rear of mid-division, headway in 8th 3f out, ridden in 7th 2f out, stayed on to moderate 5th 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 21, 12l behind Rite Of Passage (9-5) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hvy in Nov.
South Wing (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Chased leaders on inner, 4th 3f out, soon ridden, led 2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Wexford 1m 4f app hcp 50-80 gd beating Daggers Bond (8-12) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Horseguard 50-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, kept on one pace straight, 7th of 11, 7l behind Precious Gem (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcap gf.
Vivacious Vivienne (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on to 2nd 1f out, led last 150 yards, kept on well, won at Navan 1m 2f fll hcp 60-90 gf beating Daliyra (8-11) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Kevkat (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) Held up, pulled hard early, some progress into 7th entering straight, no impression from 2f out, 6th of 11, 6l behind Precious Gem (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcap gf.
Captain Cole (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Pulled hard, soon mid-division, progress on inner to be prominent early straight, soon 3rd, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 1 1/2f out, 6th of 12, 10l behind Celtic Soprano (9-4) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp 60-100 hvy in Apr.
Gimli's Rock (IRE) 5-2fav (8-5) Close up in 2nd, ridden straight, 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Precious Gem (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcap gf.
Maximo (GER) 7-1 (7-13) Tracked leaders in 5th, 6th and briefly outpaced approaching straight, 4th and headway 1 1/2f out, ran on well last 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Precious Gem (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcap gf.
Book Of Numbers (USA) 5-2fav (8-4) Dwelt slightly but soon chasing leaders on outer, close up entering straight, led travelling well 2f out, ridden and strongly pressed 1f out, joined and strongly pressed inside final furlong, kept on well to reain lead close home, won at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp 60-100 gf beating Monteriggioni (9-7) by nk, 13 ran.
Moskova (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders early, lost place halfway, no impression from 4f out, 14th of 19, 21l behind Dolphin Bay (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcap sft in Nov '08.
Lac A Dancer (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Soon mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 1 1/2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 25, 1 1/4l behind Leah Claire (9-1) at Curragh 1m 2f stks.
Loch Long (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 20l behind Casual (9-6) at Leopardstown 1m 4f ext hcp hvy in Nov.
